Bergenfield family mourns man killed in boat crash

JERSEY CITY — Two New Jersey families huddled in their homes today to cope with the tragedy of a deadly Friday night boat crash occurred less than a mile from the Statue of Liberty.

Richard Aquilone of Jersey City was piloting a 30-foot Pro-Line fishing boat when it struck a 17-foot Bayliner, killing Jijo Punthuyamkunnath of Bergenfield. Aquilone, who authorities say was intoxicated, was arrested shortly after the crash in New york Harbor, according to New York City police. His wife and three young children were also aboard.

Punthuyamkunnath, 30, was engaged to be married to his girlfriend Sissy Chacko on August 28, according to family members. Chacko was not aboard the vessel. She and Punthuyamkunnath, a physical therapist, had planned to travel to Hawaii for their honeymoon, family members said.

Mourners gathered this afternoon at Punthuyamkunnath’s family home in Bergenfield for a prayer service. Shoes and sandals lined the front door as family and friends crowded inside, gathering around Punthuyamkunnath’s father, Varughese, who continually wiped his face with a small blue towel.

"He was everything," Punthuyamkunnath said of his son. "He was my friend."

Two other men on the craft with Punthuyamkunnath — both aged 30 — were rescued by NYPD marine units and taken to waiting emergency crews at the Liberty Landing marina in Jersey City, according to U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Thomas McKenzie. They suffered minor injuries and were released from Jersey City Medical Center Friday night.

One of the men in the boat with Punthuyamkunnath was his middle school classmate, James Abraham. Abraham’s mother, Lilly, said her son told her that just before the accident, they tried to get the attention of the other boat by waving their arms. Abraham and the other passenger jumped to safety.

Aquilone, 39, lives with his family in a luxury condominium complex at Jersey City’s Port Liberté. He was charged with vehicular manslaughter, operating under the influence, and endangering the welfare of a child, New York City police said today. The children he was accused of endangering are his own. Along with his wife, Aquilone’s 2-year-old daughter and two sons aged 2 and 3, were also aboard the vessel. Neither Aquilone or his family sustained serious injuries.

Aquilone was arraigned Saturday and pleaded not guilty. His bail was set at $50,000. If convicted on all charges, he could face up to nine years in prison.